The Birthplace of Wilhelm Tell, The Swiss Hero

Wilhelm Tell, Swiss Hero

Having lived in half a dozen countries over 40 years, there comes a time when a decision has to be made whether you want to live away from your family circle or join them, wherever they are. I decided to return to my native country of Switzerland, where my Mom (was 100 in January 2021), my sister, and my three sisters-in-law and their families now live. I was personally born and raised in a town called Aarau, in the Canton of Aargau, a town famous for its architectural towers and peaks within the old town, lying on the banks of the Aare River, but that’s worth another story! 

After a long time abroad

It was like being in a Twilight Zone, moving from Miami to Altdorf, a village in the Canton of Uri, surrounded by an absolutely breathtaking mountain range. Altdorf is a large village with approximately 10,000 inhabitants and lots of history. It is where Wilhelm Tell shot the apple off his son’s head with a bow & arrow, and his monument stands tall overlooking the village courtyard. It is also one of the major gateways to Italy via the Base Gotthard Tunnel or Pass.

The village of Altdorf was burnt down three times between 1241 and 1799

and was rebuilt bigger and better after every fire. I could actually see the proof that during a renovation of an apartment, all the supporting ceiling beams were still scorched from the fires back then. My family runs a small, 16-room boutique hotel with a great restaurant and bar. Living here is great, we are within walking distance from work, the post office, shops, banks, and the whole family clan, all 3-5 minutes away, which could be a good or a bad thing!

Danioth is the oldest bakery in town, where they produce some of the finest confiseries and specialty pastries in the canton. You can sit on any of the many terraces of the local restaurants and cafes such as the Restaurant Lehnhof, Cafe Central, and Hotel Zum Schwarzen Loewen, built in 1592, (where The German Poet/Author Johan Von Goethe stayed over), and enjoy the mountain view, breathing fresh, clean and crisp air while enjoying a Kafi Fertig, a very light coffee with lots of Plum Schnapps!

Hotel zum Schwarzen Löwen – Altdorf

My wife drinks two of those Kafi Fertig, and suddenly she rattles away in Swiss German, sometimes Spanish and Italian words mixed in it, lol!

If you want some club action, there is the Tellenbar open until the wee hours. There is Erwin Steinemann Pottery, a local artist producing beautiful handmade pottery items.

A large percentage of the population is working for Daetwiler AG, a local manufacturer of technology and electronics. Attractions are plentiful in the area, the national holiday is August 1st, and the carnival in February is a fun event; the entire village is transformed and participates in this traditional event with lots of parades, everyone wearing creatively designed outfits, and a lot of drinking. They say the birth rate climbs around that time! At the Monastery situated on a hill overlooking the village, they have stone carving lessons where you can learn how to make beautiful stone art by hand. There is a leather shop where they teach you how to make leather items from scratch. Getting to Altdorf from Zurich airport via Luzern is an amazing trip through the countryside and through the carved-out streets along the lakeside. Please put it on your bucket list!

It’s worth a detour!

Best Regards, your Blogging Friend, Ulrich Koepf